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The Race: Third Presidential Debate

May 15, 2017

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf

The third presidential debate, technically on the economy, often devolved into personal attacks over corruption, personal gains at public expense, nepotism, and association with human rights abuses. The angry sniping and name-calling played out largely between President Hassan Rouhani and his two most conservative opponents— Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi. During the three-hour debate among six candidates, the conservatives repeatedly threw out data to discredit Rouhani’s administration and his family’s finances. The President dismissively hit back with his own counter-charges, suggesting that the two conservatives were linked to crackdowns against students and dissidents.

In what appeared to be a preplanned stunt, Qalibaf went on the offensive. He accused Rouhani and Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, another of the six candidates, of buying land at drastically reduced prices as far back as the 1980s. He held up deeds to properties owned by the families of both men. As Qalibaf spoke, hardline news outlets simultaneously released the deeds to the Jahangiri properties on social media. Qalibaf also charged that current government officials, including Jahangiri, were pocketing inflated salaries.

Jahangiri, who was often the most energetic debater, accused Qalibaf of slander. “You wanted to launch a smear campaign, but they gave you wrong information,” Jahangiri retorted. “I only have my house. I have no other property. If I have anything, I’ll give it to you,” he quipped.

Rouhani was even tougher on Qalibaf. In 2005, when he was National Security Adviser, Rouhani said he had been in possession of a file on Qalibaf that could have ruined his career. The president alleged that Qalibaf, Iran’s former police chief, had bragged about his ability to swiftly suppress student protests. “If I had not prevented disclosure [of the file], you would not be sitting here,” Rouhani said. Rouhani also called Qalibaf a hypocrite—and said he should examine his own relatives’ financial dealings.

Rouhani also had a verbal showdown with Raisi, a former attorney general who has been named as a possible successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well as a future president. Rouhani questioned Raisi’s record as a judge who acted with virtual impunity. “You’re a judge, you can do what you want,” he said. "You're also prosecutor of the Special Court for Clergy, you can detain any cleric. We have to ask clerics what they have gone through at your hands."

In turn, Raisi charged that Rouhani’s ministers were incapable of fighting corruption because of their involvement in private businesses. He also claimed that Rouhani blocked a corruption probe against his brother, a special presidential adviser.

**UPDATE: Qalibaf has dropped out and thrown his support to Raisi.

The following are the candidates’ main points.

President Hassan Rouhani

Pledged to encourage both domestic and foreign investment, including working with international banks.

Vowed to do whatever is necessary to lift all remaining foreign sanctions on Iran.

Promised to spend $15 billion out of Iran’s $20 billion in revenue from oil and gas sales on investment and another $3 billion to help the needy.

Highlighted the need to improve the quality of domestically produced goods to help boost exports and, in turn, improve the economy.

Assured the continuation of cash subsidies but also promised to implement a comprehensive social security plan.

Argued that increasing subsidies [as Raisi and Qalibaf have proposed] would require cuts to healthcare and construction projects in rural areas.

Pointed out that Ahmadinejad-era officials were working for Raisi’s campaign.

Noted that Iran reclaimed its market share from Saudi Arabia within OPEC and did not reduce its oil output along with the other member countries.

Noted that Iran is becoming self-sufficient in some sectors, including wheat production.